GIFT IDEAS FOR OLDER FOLKS

By Linda Cundiff, Occupational Therapist, Glengarry Hospital

Staff members are often asked what types of gifts residents would appreciate. Following is a list of gift ideas for your favourite resident!

Hygiene items:

• Moisturizers
• Skin cleansers
• Nail polish, nail files
• Heat or ice bags

Comfort items:

• Small fleece lap blankets or capes for warmth on outings in a wheelchair
• Flowers
• Wheelchair bags to keep personal items in

Safety and Physical endurance items:

• Wrap-round 1/2 to 1 lb weights for exercise
• Rubber-soled slippers
• Table games like slide hockey

Brain Builders:

• European magazines
• Large print books, especially short stories
• Dominos or checkers
• Magnifying sheets and talking clocks
• Large print calendars to help with orientation

Staff on the units are pleased to help you with gift ideas. Next time you're in for a visit, ask one of the Social Workers or Team Leaders for their thoughts on appropriate gifts for your resident.